Comprehensive ecological services for public & private sectors in Tasmania
Environmental Consulting Options Tasmania (ECOtas) is a Tasmanian-based environmental consulting firm that offers a wide range of ecological services.
ECOtas is owned and operated by Mark Wapstra. ECOtas employs highly skilled staff to ensure the very best service to our clients.
ECOtas specialises in flora and fauna assessments for a variety of development proposals, scientific writing and editing, and conservation management research and advice.
We provide unbiased reporting that is professional, practical and pragmatic. Our emphasis is on developing innovative solutions to complex environmental management issues.
ECOtas carries full public liability, professional indemnity, workers’ compensation and vehicle/equipment insurance. ECOtas staff work to strict field safety procedures.
Contact ECOtas for an obligation-free fee proposal.
Flora & fauna surveys
ECOtas offers comprehensive ecological, botanical and zoological field assessments, with an emphasis on terrestrial natural values including threatened flora and fauna and classification/mapping of vegetation types. Comprehensive reports outlining the identified values, potential development constraints under different policies and legislation, and possible management options will be provided. Our reports comply fully with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania’s Guidelines for Natural Values Assessments, and reports can be tailored to meet the reporting requirements of Commonwealth, State and local government approval agencies.
Assessments include proposed rural and residential subdivisions, forestry activities, agricultural developments (including land clearing, irrigation and dam proposals) and other development projects (including mining, tourism, business and infrastructure).
Forest practices planning & conservation assessments
ECOtas has extensive expertise in the forest practices system and can prepare and certify Forest Practices Plans (through external parties with whom we work closely). ECOtas can also provide services to the government, land managers and landowners in assessing areas for their conservation values (e.g. private land reserve programs).
Ecological research & monitoring
ECOtas offers services for one-off and/or long-term research and monitoring projects, particularly related to threatened flora and fauna. Services include project design, project coordination, data collection and analysis and preparation of reports/manuscripts. [See more]
Product development
ECOtas offers services for product development (such as decision-support systems for the management of natural values and databases for ecological monitoring). Services include project coordination, consultation and development.
Scientific & report editing
Editing services, particularly scientific-style editing (e.g. draft manuscripts, theses, project reports, annual reports, grant applications, etc.), are also offered by ECOtas.
Weed & hygiene management
ECOtas offers weed and hygiene status mapping services extending to the production of weed and/or hygiene management plans for a variety of developments including quarries, borrow pits, residential subdivisions and even single house sites (sometimes a local government planning requirement).
With staff who are fully ChemCert accredited (AHCCHM304 & AHCCHM307) and carrying NRE Tas-issued certificates of competency to use agricultural chemicals under the ECOtas commercial operator licence, and a working relationship with two laboratories undertaking diagnostic services, ECOtas can respond to a variety of weed and hygiene needs.
We can provide certificates of hygiene and weed status for quarries and other facilities, which will include detection and testing for
Phytophthora cinnamomi.
Natural values interpretation & education
ECOtas offers services in natural values interpretation (such as brochures, booklets and posters), especially for reserves and tourist sites, with a focus on threatened flora and fauna. With access to a large collection of our own flora and fauna images, and close links to specialist wildlife and plant photographers, various photographic services can also be offered.
Specialised education services (e.g. adult education courses, courses for forestry, tourism, government or business sectors) are also offered by ECOtas. Customised specialist tours of Tasmania (e.g. endemic birds of Tasmania, amphibians, orchids and other plant groups) can also be provided.
Mark Wapstra and Lorilee Yeates enjoy working closely with primary school teachers in presenting biodiversity-related modules and hands-on experiences for primary school children in exploring the natural world.
Learn more about natural values education and the courses we offer.
Plant identification
ECOtas provides a low-cost plant identification service aimed at various clients (e.g. Landcare groups, community environmental projects, farmers and foresters). With a herbarium of over 2,700 specimens representing more than 2,550 species, combined with up-to-date taxonomic literature, ECOtas specialises in the identification of vascular plants (including native and exotic species).
Reach out to ECOtas online at 0407 008 685 and discover how we can meet your environmental needs.